bone contusion
Pronunciation: kon-TOO-zhun
Traumatic injury to bone tissue visible on MRI as increased signal, also known as bone bruising.
Full Definition
A post-traumatic condition characterized by edema and hemorrhage within the bone marrow space without visible fracture on standard radiographs. Bone contusions appear as areas of increased signal intensity on MRI and represent microfractures and bleeding within the cancellous bone. They commonly occur in sports injuries, particularly those involving joint compression or direct impact, such as knee injuries during pivoting sports or shoulder injuries in contact sports. While not requiring surgical intervention, bone contusions can cause significant pain and may take several months to resolve completely, potentially affecting return-to-sport timing.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from stress fractures and osteochondral injuries; emphasize MRI requirement for diagnosis.
In Context
- "MRI demonstrated a large bone contusion in the lateral femoral condyle following the basketball injury." — Imaging report
- "The persistent knee pain was attributed to bone contusion that remained symptomatic six weeks post-injury." — Follow-up examination